TITLE:
Intravenous Paracetamol versus Intramuscular Tramadol in Shortening the Duration of Labour: A Randomized Controlled Trial
AUTHORS:
Uzoma Ogbonna-Onwukwe, Assumpta Nnenna Nweke, Arinze Ikeotuonye, Chukwudi Olugu Oru, Chinwe Wendy Oliobi, Ifeoma Cecilia Uche-Omovoh, Chinedu John Obasi, Ugochukwu Raphael Chikezie, Chinyere Chibuzo Duru
KEYWORDS:
Labour Duration, Intravenous Paracetamol, Intramuscular Tramadol
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.3,
March
20,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: The excruciating pain associated with labour has led to different studies aimed at finding pharmacolologic and non pharmacologic ways of shortening the duration of labour. Most agents used are either expensive or associated with fetomaternal adverse effects. This has led to the study of paracetamol and tramadol that have analgesic properties and have shown to have effect on labour duration. Aim: To compare intravenous paracetamol versus intramuscular tramadol in shortening the duration of labour at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital and St Patrick’s Mile 4 Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Methodology: It is an open label, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial that was conducted on one hundred and eighty-nine parturients in active labour. Group A received 1000 mg of intravenous paracetamol while Group B received 100 mg of intramuscular tramadol and allocation was in the ratio of 1:1. Labour duration in the active phase was noted. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The mean labour duration in the paracetamol and tramadol groups were 176.3 ± 105.7 and 215.9 ± 120.8, P Conclusion: This study showed that 1000 mg intravenous paracetamol was not inferior to 100 mg intramuscular tramadol in shortening the duration of labour.